Dental Inlays and Onlays are dental restorations which are used to repair posterior teeth that have a mild to moderate level of decay. Dental Inlays and Onlays can also be used to repair teeth that are chipped or have cracks if the damage is not bad enough to opt for a dental Crown.

Dental Inlays and Onlays are normally manufactured by using composite resin, porcelain and sometimes even gold. Since they can be manufactured materials that match the tooth colour, dental Inlays and Onlays are frequently used to substitute metallic dental fillings for patients who need a smile that is natural.

Dental Inlays
Dental Inlays are utilized to treat teeth that have erosion or damage deep within their dented top layer, amidst the cusps of the patient's teeth. Dental Inlays can also be utilized to substitute past or damaged metallic fillings. Inlay alignment is normally done out over 2 appointments. During the first visit to our clinic, an imprint of the tooth will be acquired, and an interim Inlay will be positioned over the tooth. Our dentist will ship the imprint off to a dental laboratory, which will mold the Inlay to exactly match the tooth's dimensions. When the patient returns to our clinic, the interim Inlay will be extracted and the permanent one will be positioned cautiously over the tooth. The recovery period after getting an Inlay is very less and the patient might get back to his/her routine as soon as he/she leaves our clinic. Mild soreness might be experienced.

As Dental Inlays and Onlays can be molded from long lasting, tooth-colored porcelain, they results are much more enduring and natural appearing than metallic fillings. In addition, their tailor-made character allows our dentists to securely cement them to the surface of the tooth, adding structural strength and avoiding bacteria from entering and causing erosion.

Dental Onlays
Whilst Dental Inlays are drafted to treat erosion inside the cusps, or superior projections, of a tooth, Onlays are utilized to treat erosion that extends to multiple cusps. Onlays are positioned in much the similar way as Inlays. First, an imprint of the damaged tooth is obtained, and an interim onlay is positioned over the tooth. The imprint is then shipped to a laboratory, where a dental technician molds the onlay as per the tooth’s dimensions. During the return visit, the interim Onlay is removed and the permanent Onlay is cemented to the teeth by using high strength resins.

Similar to dental Inlays, Onlays can be molded from material that matches the tooth color, this helps make them unnoticeable to the naked eye. Onlays also assist in preserving more structure since their use needs minimal buffing of a tooth surface. Perchance their most significant advantage, however, is that, by saving decayed teeth, Onlays aid patients prevent the eventual necessity for more widespread treatment with dental implants, crowns or dental bridges.

Benefits and Risks of Dental Inlays/Onlays
While treating dental erosions, dental Inlays and Onlays aid in eliminating sensitivity of the tooth and ultimate tooth loss. Inlays/Onlays last for approximately 20-30 years. Patients may experience some tooth sensitivity for a couple of days after treatment. There is also a chance of bacteria getting trapped and sealed while cementing Inlays/Onlays.